RESUMO
A case of diffuse mesothelioma in a young patient is presented. He had a history of asbestos exposure and was treated surgically with pleuropericardiopneumonectomy and intrapleural cysplatinum as the initial phase of the therapeutic strategy. It was followed by systemic cysplatinum and mytomicin C, and radiotherapy of the hemithorax. The patient survived 9 months with an aceptable relief of the pain and dyspnea. The different therapeutic procedures available are discussed. It is emphasized the utility of the extramusculoperiosteal resection in the extirpation of the costal pleura which results in a wider tumor free margin. The authors also discuss the indications and benefits of the pleuropneumonectomy as much as the use of intrapleural cysplatinum as the initial phase of the treatment followed by postoperative systemic chemotherapy.